Republic Bank & Trust

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Utilizing measurement criteria and analysis compiled by Sandler O'Neil & Partners, a New York-based investment banking firm that specializes in the financial services industry, Bank Director magazine has released its annual rankings of the nation's top 150 financial institutions with assets of $3 billion or more.

Included as # 10 on this prestigious list of America's Best Banks is locally-based Republic Bancorp, parent of Republic Bank & Trust Company and Republic Bank, the only financial institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky to be included in the rankings.

As an overview of the analysis, the publication's performance scorecard text notes: "There is not much flash and glitz among this year's crop of top-performing US banks and thrifts. But, given all that's occurred in the last six months, maybe slow and steady really is the name of the game." The article continues "in fact, over a recent 12-month period, as the credit and financial markets came unhinged and some of the country's best known depository financial institutions teetered on the brink of collapse, 'steady at the helm' was the governing mantra for the highest rated banks."

Rating categories (established by Sandler O'Neil) were: Total assets ($3 billion or more); Profitability; Capital Adequacy; and Asset Quality. A complex formula applied to score all eligible banks produced a 'final score number' for each institution rated. Kentucky'sRepublic Bancorp, with assets of $3,939,368, received a final score of 135.5- placing the institution #10 on this prestigious listing.

Steve Trager, Republic Bank's Chairman and CEO, commented "We're certainly honored to not only have been included on this list, but especially to have been ranked within 'the top l0 best banks in the country.' This is a huge honor for our Bank, our Associates, our Directors, Shareholders, and for the Commonwealth of Kentucky." Trager added that the Sandler O'Neil group's criteria, which focused on tight underwriting and internal controls, resulted in the exclusion of all of the nation's "megabanks" from the listings. "We are proud to be a community bank, and as such, we are dedicated to serving the citizens, companies, and non-profit groups which, combined, create the unique 'home town' fabric in each geographic area we serve. Our credo at Republic is really a promise- one which has guided our growth and success over the years:

We were here for you yesterday, we are here for you today, and we will be here for you tomorrow. ^TM

Republic Bancorp, Inc. (Republic) has 45 banking centers and is the parent company of: Republic Bank & Trust Company with 36 banking centers in 14 Kentucky communities - Bowling Green, Covington, Crestwood, Elizabethtown, Florence, Fort Wright, Frankfort, Georgetown, Independence, Lexington, Louisville, Owensboro, Shelbyville and Shepherdsville and three banking centers in southern Indiana: Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville and New Albany. Republic Bank has banking centers in Hudson, Palm Harbor, Port Richey, New Port Richey and Temple Terrace, Florida as well as Cincinnati, Ohio. Republic operates Tax Refund Solutions, a nationwide tax refund loan and check provider. Republic offers internet banking at www.republicbank.com. Republic has $3.9 billion in assets and $1 billion in trust assets under custody and management. Republic is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and Republic's Class A Common Stock is listed under the symbol 'RBCAA' on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

    Source: Republic Bancorp, Inc.